27 Nov : US President George W Bush on Thursday spoke to PM Manmohan Singh over phone and offered "support and assistance" to restore order following the coordinated terror strikes in Mumbai, meanwhile Britain is sending a police emergency team to India to help probe the coordinated terrorist attack that killed over 100 people.
President Bush spoke this morning by telephone with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express condolences to the victims of the terror attacks in Mumbai, India, and solidarity with the people of India," White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said in a statement.
"The president offered support and assistance to the government of India as it works to restore order, provide safety to its people and comfort to the victims and their families, and investigate these despicable acts," she said.
UK sending anti-terrorism experts to Mumbai: Brown
Britain is sending a police emergency team to India to help probe the coordinated terrorist attack that killed over 100 people in Mumbai, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Thursday.
"We are sending police emergency teams that are well versed in dealing with terrorism," Brown said.He said that Britain would do "whatever is necessary" to protect Britons visiting India.
"We are determined to maintain contact with those people up in the hotels. We will be able to keep in touch during the day."Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair said, "We are concerned at the apparent singling out of UK and US citizens and the Metropolitan Police stands ready to assist the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in whatever capacity we are required to do so."
Earlier, in a statement Brown had said, "These outrageous attacks in Mumbai will be met with a vigorous response. I have sent a message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond, and to offer all necessary help. Urgent action is underway to offer every possible protection to British citizens in the region."
"I think I speak for the whole world- shock and outrage at the tragic destruction of innocent lives. I have already sent my sympathy and support to Prime Minister Singh of India and to say we will do everything we can to help the Indian Government," he said.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband had in a statement last night said, "..attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists. I condemn these attacks unreservedly".
" Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured. The UK and India will continue their joint efforts to counter the actions of terrorists".
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised tourists to seek local advice from their hotels as to whether they can safely reach the airport and catch flights out of Mumbai.
"For those who had planned to visit Mumbai, we are advising against all non-essential travel for the time being," the advisory said.
Zardari speaks to Sonia, wants joint fight against terror
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday told Congress President Sonia Gandhi that countries needed to work together to eliminate militancy and extremism in all forms and manifestations.
Zardari, who made a telephone call to Gandhi to condemn the coordinated terrorist attacks in Mumbai that left over 100 people dead and many more injured, said the killing of innocent people was "most detestable".
A statement issued by the presidency said Zardari "condemned the attacks in the strongest possible terms".
He said "militancy and extremism in all forms and manifestations had to be eliminated" and countries needed to cooperate with one another in this regard.
Zardari asked Gandhi to convey his condolences and those of the people of Pakistan to the members of the victims’ families.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, currently on an official visit to India, said Pakistan and India need "to be calm, composed and supportive of each other" instead of making "knee-jerk reactions".
"We have to pool our resources and we have to join hands to fight and combat terrorism and extremism," he told the news a channel.
Qureshi said he had made several proposals to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism during his meeting on Wednesday with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.
"I have proposed that the intelligence chiefs of the two countries should be connected, they should have hotlines among themselves so that they can gather and share information," he said.